Biden and Xi: A Smooth Transition? More Like a Bumpy Ride!
Published on November 16, 2024, 11:43 p.m.
Xi Jinping Promises a “Smooth Transition” After Trump’s Re-Election
Oh, the irony! After an… let’s say, “colorful” presidential campaign, Chinese President Xi Jinping assured U.S. President Joe Biden that he wants a “smooth transition” in China-U.S. relations following the re-election of the one-and-only Donald Trump. That’s right, folks! Who knew that a tiger would want to play nice with a porcupine planning to guard the henhouse?
The Scene: Lima, Peru – Where Politics Meets Pisco Sour
On Saturday, November 16, the two leaders met in good ol’ Lima, Peru, just after the Asia-Pacific summit. It was quite the diplomatic shindig—picture it as a high-stakes game of poker, only the chips are made of trade deals and perhaps a few territorial disputes.
Xi, with all the charm of a panda, stated that China and the U.S. should “continue to explore the right path” and “achieve long-term peaceful coexistence.” And you thought your family reunions were awkward!
“Protectionism on the Rise?” More Like “Protectionism on the Disco Floor”
Ah, the delights of geopolitics! During the closed-door session, Xi, while tackling issues like “rising protectionism,” stressed the importance of unity. Someone remind him that saying “we must unite!” doesn’t always cut it when there’s a trade war brewing. It seems like these two are navigating through a thick fog of geopolitical tension while dancing around landmines. Talk about tricky footwork!
A “Farewell” Bash or a Last-Ditch Effort?
Now here’s where it gets interesting: this tête-à-tête was touted as their “final meeting” before Biden hands over the keys to the White House to Trump. Imagine being at a party and knowing the host just invited a bull—and you’re the china shop! National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has been busy trying to frame this as more than just a “goodbye.” Lucky for him, because saying adieu while chaos looms is tricky business!
Do We Need a Map to Navigate These “Red Lines”?
As the two leaders chatted, not even the most seasoned GPS could decipher all the “red lines” they’re tiptoeing around. Xi warned Biden not to cross these boundaries, which include Taiwan, democracy, and human rights—that’s quite a line-up for a red carpet, wouldn’t you think?
Trump: The Great Unknown
Sitting in the background, like that guest who overstays their welcome, is none other than Donald Trump. He’s like a shadow that never fails to insert himself into a picture—whether it’s helpful or not remains to be seen. Biden, feeling the heat, did his best to reassure everyone that the U.S. and China can avoid “drifting into conflict.” Let’s face it, though—things have drifted in directions that some could only describe with nautical terms, and it’s getting stormy!
Final Thoughts: A Smooth Transition? More Like Trying to Dance on a Tightrope
As Biden and Xi discuss their future approach, the tension is palpable—not even a newly opened panda sanctuary could ease that pressure! For all the warm words and promises of cooperation, one does have to wonder whether they’re just putting on a show for the audience while knowing that in reality, the balancing act is far from smooth.
So, there you have it: Biden and Xi’s meeting was less a graceful ballet and more a circus act in a high-stakes political funhouse. The only thing more volatile than their discussions? The popcorn price at these international summits!
Published16. November 2024, 11:43 p.m.
Meeting between Biden and Xi: Xi Jinping says he wants to work for a “smooth transition”
During a critical meeting in Lima, Peru, on Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping provided reassurances to U.S. President Joe Biden about Beijing’s commitment to ensuring a “smooth transition” in diplomatic relations following the anticipated return of Donald Trump to the White House following his election victory.
US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, in Lima, Peru, November 16, 2024.
AFP
This dialogue marked a pivotal moment as they concluded their discussions after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, amid rising uncertainties regarding the implications of Trump’s re-election. Xi emphasized the importance of both nations to “continue to explore the right path” toward fostering cooperation and achieving a sustainable, long-term peaceful coexistence, as reported by the state agency Xinhua.
As part of their agenda, President Biden arrived at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. Swiss time) at the venue accommodating Xi Jinping, making this encounter significant as it was their last before Trump’s return to the presidency in January.
“Rising protectionism”
The leaders gathered in the Peruvian capital, participating in the 31st APEC summit alongside other global leaders, representing 21 economies that collectively account for 60% of the world’s GDP. In a closed-door session earlier that day, President Xi raised concerns over pressing challenges including geopolitics, unilateralism, and rising protectionist sentiments that threaten global trade and cooperation. He reiterated the necessity for unity and collaboration among the nations of the Pacific region, as conveyed by Chinese state television CCTV.
The summit concluded with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte celebrating the successful consensus on the “Lima road map,” aimed at facilitating the transition from informal to formal economies, a pressing issue for numerous countries across the region.
A bilateral dialogue maintained as best it can
Following the summit, Boluarte passed the APEC presidency to South Korea, which is set to host the next summit in 2025. This Biden-Xi meeting was significant as it was their third and final discourse before the Democratic president transitions power to Donald Trump. U.S. officials noted that this tête-à-tête is intended to leverage the groundbreaking meeting from the previous year, which played a role in alleviating tensions during the last APEC summit held in San Francisco.
Despite deteriorating U.S.-China relations driven by disputes over trade tariffs, Taiwan’s status, human rights issues, and technological rivalry in recent years, both countries managed to sustain a continuous dialogue, albeit under challenging circumstances.
“Not just a meeting to say goodbye”
American National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan underscored the significance of this engagement, emphasizing its role in navigating the delicate phase of bilateral relations during the transition period. Sullivan highlighted the need to address ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and the importance of maintaining communication channels, particularly military lines, stressing that this meet should not simply serve as a farewell. The anticipation surrounding Trump’s imminent return and his appointment of hardliners regarding Beijing loomed large over their discussions.
“A new period of turbulence”
Donald Trump’s previous term from 2017 to 2021 resulted in dramatic upheavals in U.S.-China economic relations, inciting a trade war aimed at compelling Beijing to purchase more American products and rectify trade imbalances. On the preceding day, Xi Jinping had already expressed his apprehensions regarding the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, indicating that the global landscape has entered a “new period of turbulence and transformation.”
These concerns were echoed by Joe Biden, who remarked during a gathering with allies from Japan and South Korea that “we have now reached a moment of important political change.” After their discussions in Lima, both leaders are scheduled to travel to Brazil for a key G20 summit.
“It’s our responsibility”
The outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that it is imperative for the United States and China to take concerted actions to prevent their competitive relationship from escalating into conflict. He remarked at the onset of their Lima meeting, “Our two countries cannot let this competition drift into conflict. It is our responsibility, and, over the last four years, I think we have proven that it is possible to maintain this relationship.”
Though Biden refrained from mentioning his successor by name, the implications of Trump’s return were felt throughout the meeting with Xi; still, he expressed pride in the strides made toward stabilizing U.S.-China relations.
The “red line”
Amidst these discussions, Xi Jinping cautioned the United States against transgressing the “red line” concerning Washington’s support for Taiwan, a statement made in light of Trump’s impending return to office. Xi delineated “the Taiwan issue, democracy and human rights,” along with China’s political and economic system and developmental interests, as the four non-negotiable “red lines” that must not be crossed, as reported by Chinese state television CCTV.
How does the meeting between Biden and Xi reflect the complexities of U.S.-China relations in a post-Trump era?
### Navigating the Crossroads of Diplomacy: Biden and Xi Meet Amid Uncertainty
During a recent high-profile meeting in Lima, Peru, Chinese President **Xi Jinping** and U.S. President **Joe Biden** discussed the future of China-U.S. relations following the re-election of **Donald Trump**. The meeting, held on November 16, 2024, came right after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and was framed as crucial for establishing a “smooth transition” in diplomatic ties, despite the turbulent political landscape.
### The Diplomatic Circus in Lima
Xi, often seen as a firm and decisive leader, projected an image of cooperation, urging the U.S. and China to “explore the right path” towards long-term peaceful coexistence. This statement, while optimistic, raised eyebrows given the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning trade and territorial disputes. Imagine a diplomatic scenario where two nations are trying to coordinate their movements on a stage filled with landmines—awkward yet necessary!
### Protectionism: A Growing Concern
In a closed-door session characterized by frank discussion, Xi highlighted the increasing “protectionism” worldwide while calling for unity and collaboration among countries in the Pacific region. It serves as a stark reminder that while the leaders are meeting over fancy dinners, the realities of trade wars and tariffs frequently hover above like storm clouds threatening to rain on their parade.
### A Farewell or A New Beginning?
As this meeting approached, it was marked as the last significant engagement between Biden and Xi before Trump returned to the White House in January. National Security Advisor **Jake Sullivan** framed the meeting as more than a “goodbye,” aiming to cement a framework for continued dialogue amidst predicted chaos. It’s like attending a farewell party for a friend who’s moving, but you can’t shake the feeling they might just come back with a suitcase full of drama.
### The Uncertain Future
The geopolitical landscape remains fraught with complexities, especially as Xi outlined the “red lines” that both nations must be cautious of. These include critical issues surrounding **Taiwan, democracy, and human rights**—topics that are likely to ignite fierce debates and potential escalations.
In the shadows of the meeting loomed Trump, whose unpredictable policies previously initiated a trade war with China. Biden, aware of these tensions, attempted to reassure both leaders and the international community that conflict could be averted. However, many observers are skeptical, given the ongoing technical rivalries and trade disputes.
### Final Reflections: A Tightrope Walk
As Biden and Xi consider their paths forward, they are indeed engaged in an intricate balancing act, oscillating between cooperation and confrontation. Their meeting in Lima wasn’t just a simple conversation; it was akin to walking a tightrope in a circus—one misstep could lead to a tumble into tumultuous waters.
In essence, while both leaders favored cooperation, the looming questions about Trump’s next moves and the state of U.S.-China relations keep everyone on edge. As they left the meeting, one couldn’t help but wonder if the soft words exchanged would turn into solid actions or if they were merely a façade for an audience watching every step they take.